We Made It Back!

After 30 plus hours of travelling, we have made it back to Georgia in one piece. All of our luggage made it as well so we are seemingly whole back in America. There is a one big problem though, there is still a large piece of us that is back in Kenya - our hearts. As for this editor, I don't think I can ever look at life the same because of this trip designed to help others understand the love of Jesus as Lord, Savior, Comforter, Healer, Encourager and Provider - the trip impacted us in a huge and mighty way as we saw Him show up along side of us, through us and in us - it really is difficult to figure out who was impacted more, this team or those that were ministered to in Kenya. For those that have followed our journey and prayed for us - we thank you and were blessed by you. If you don't understand what it means to have a personal life changing relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, please reach out to one of us so that we too may share that with you - you'll never be the same! We need to find the right forum to share more pictures and stories of this trip so stay tuned. Again, thank you for all of your support through this journey - God is Awesome and has met our every need in and through His body!

Homeward Bound Tonight

God has shown up in a mighty way throughout this entire trip. He has shown Himself in so many ways and has written so much of Kenya on our hearts and allowed us to help connect with the hearts of those who He sent us to. It has been difficult to say goodbye to the children at the House of Hope but we also know that they have touched us in a deeper and more meaningful way than we ever imagined. We leave tonight and have a stay over in Amsterdam before arriving back to Atlanta late Friday July 1. God is awesome and we feel very privileged to have walked a little in His footsteps as a team that has worked very well together. We are forever changed! We ask for prayers for travelling mercies and safety and look forward to sharing so many stories and pictures when we are reunited with our family and friends!

Lodwar Day 3

Today we went to the goat auction to purchase some of the goats that were funded by Liberty Hill at home. The crowd was fascinated with the Mizungus and we left soon to keep from making a bigger scene. We drove way out into the bush – almost an hour where there was no road, no path and no marked route. We were entertained with traditional dance, song and worshipping as fed almost 100 families with beans and corn maize. We all had a chance to join in the tribal dance as we worshipped God as brothers and sisters in Christ as one body! We also visited the local clinic where the kids are treated to meet with the resident doctor to check on the kids of the House of Hope progress and health. The conditions were unbelievable to be considered a “health clinic”. We then went to the only hospital that services the entire Turkana region. We delivered medical supplies donated by McKesson (Jim’s employer) which were received with big smiles. The conditions were again, unbelievably primitive and we learned that the infant mortality rate for the region is 66%! The mortality rate for children under 5 is 64%! We returned back to the House of Hope to be able to spend the rest of the day with the kids – they are soooo awesome! The staff made the two wives and two husbands honorary Turkana’s and dressed us up with true Turkana attire to include beads, accessories, presented the men with Turkana walking sticks that are only given to men of importance in the tribe as well as elders. Awesome experience and we all celebrated in traditional dance and worship. The kids know that we leave tomorrow and are already showing signs of sadness – we don’t want to leave them as much as they don’t want to leave. So many more stories to share when we get home. Here is a sampling of pictures in the next blog.

Lodwar Day 3 Pictures

Lodwar Day 2

Today we were the guests of honor at the church service where there was traditional tribal praise and worship at the Liberty Hill Church – Lodwar. This is called the IDP which stands for Internally Displaced People which was a direct result of the uprising and riots after the 2007 elections where homes and land were taken by corrupt people. Steve and Jim had an opportunity to deliver the Word and let them know that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to Father except through Him – even those that the government considers forgotten people because in God's eyes none are forgotten. After the service, we went to the Taqwah River where Steve and Jim had the awesome opportunity to baptize 14 Turkana people as a profession of their acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life in front of the celebrating village. We later drove into the bush to visit a remote village and fed 75 families with a portion of beans and corn maize – what a fantastic experience. So many more stories to share when we get home. Here is a sampling of pictures in the next blog.

Lodwar Day 2 Pictures

Arrived in Lodwar

Arrived at Lodwar and we were greeted by Thomas and Moses from the House of Hope. It didn’t take long to realize that this is an area that is very primitive, lucky to have running water or electricity. The Guest House that would be home for the next 3days was a little like camping in the outdoors only more primitive. No drinking the water and no modern conveniences. We finally made it to the House of Hope and realized Steve’s passion with these children – they are all precious and beautiful! The community eats roughly every other day if they are fortunate but these kids eat everyday thanks to the ministry – Praise God. It’s hard to completely comprehend these living conditions without seeing it for yourself. This area and tribe is called Turkana and the government has turned their back on these people. So many more stories too long for this blog but God is using this not only for these people but also for our team – life changing! Here is a sampling of pictures in the next blog.

Arrival in Lodwar Pictures

Nakuru Baby Orphanage Visit

Today we drove about 2 hours northwest of Nairobi to meet with Trena, the staff of His Cherished Ones Orphanage and the baby residents. What a great work Trena is doing in her passion to serve the Lord as He has directed. There are 9 current residents with one intake this morning. The children are all beautiful and our two families spent time loving on these little ones. In addition to the orphanage, Trena has brought 8 local single mothers who have come together and work daily at the orphanage knitting head ware and blankets as a fundraiser to provide for their salaries and help support the orphanage. She has also taken in 5 boys that have been living on the street ranging in age from 7 to 17; they now live on her home compound as she shares the saving grace of Jesus' love with them to help give them hope and provide for their immediate needs.

We have an early flight to Lodwar in the morning where we will spend the next 4 days at The House of Hope orphanage. Specific prayer request for the team are for energy, strength, healing, and discernment - the amount of activity has been non stop and emotionally charged and draining at times. God is good all the time!

The last 2 Days in Kisumu

We're back in Nairobi tonight after a 2 day trip to Kisumu. Wednesday morning we flew out of Nairobi early and went to a very remote area about 45 miles outside of Kisumu. The Luhya tribe welcomed us into their remote village as we helped to build a new home for a widow and her 4 children. We were entertained by tradional songs and also were told that we were the first white people to ever visit their village! This morning we went to another Luhya community in a very remote area near the equator about 40 miles southeast of Kisumu. As another house was constructed for a widow and her 6 children, we prayed and shared praise with the community as well as watched our children have fun and play with the Luhya children. This was the first time the children had ever seen or interacted with white people and they were filled with joy. So many stories to tell and not enough time. The message of love and salvation through Jesus Christ was shared in Swahili and English and further added to our already impactful journey - truly a life changing trip! Tomorrow we head to Nakuru to visit the baby orphanage and help with some minor repairs. Attached on the separate blog below are a small set of pictures from the last 2 days. Praise God for His provision and love.

Kisumu Pictures

Kibera Slum Today

Today was a very draining emotional day for the team. We spent a good portion of the day in the Kibera slum that houses 1.2 Million people that are considered well below the poverty line. The children made the difference for the team - their joy in seeing us and the 3 pieces of bread and fruit drink made a huge impact. These living conditions are much more dramatic than I anticipated and have effected me deeply. The hope is in bringing the love of Jesus to their lives and listening to their songs with joy. So much to say about how deep the feelings have penetrated - seeing with our hearts is difficult to process. To see our families working together in harmony as the Body of Christ was an awesome thing. Many more things to say and many more pictures to show but not at this posting. We just completed evening devotion and off to bed - Leaving for the airport to Kisumu at 5:00AM where we'll spend the next two days at the edge of Lake Victoria building a house for a widow. Please see pictures in below Post.

Tuesday Blog Pictures

We Made it to Nairobi!!

Just settled in at PCEA House after 22 plus hours of travelling - whew what a long day! We left Atlanta at 5:30 PM Sunday June 19, 3 hour layover in Amsterdam and arrived in Nairobi at 8:30 PM local time (1:30 PM EST - 7 hours time difference) June 20. We made it through customs, obtained our visa's and received all of our checked bags - so it is all good! We arrived at night so we did not have a chance to see Nairobi from the air and the drive to the guest house - we'll see it tomorrow. Up early tomorrow and heading to Kibera (the world's second largest slum) to show up where God is leading. Meeting tomorrow afternoon with a government official to hopefully pave the way for open doors with SERV's feeding initiative - prayers are requested for His favor.

Three Days and Counting . . .

Can't believe it's already here! We have our final family team meeting tonight and last minute preparations are almost complete. Many thanks to so many for their prayers, encouragement and financial support! We are "intentionally available" to what God has in store for us as we continue to prepare for the journey He is sending us on. Updates to this blog will now autopublish on SERV social media including Facebook and Twitter.

Less Than 1 Week To Go!!!

Wow, can't believe it's really almost here! One week from right now we'll be in Nairobi! God is ever present and it's also obvious that the enemy is trying to distract and discourage in preparation for something huge that God has planned for us to be a part of. We are focusing on being "intentionally available" to what He has for us.

2 Weeks to go!

The team is preparing well for this journey! Efforts are underway for the purchase of goats to be delivered by us while in Lodwar - amazing response to the request for money to pay for these goats at church yesterday! We are helping the locals to be able to help themselves with daily goat milk. The team has all of their shots, updated passports in hand and willing hearts to move to the next step! We are still in need of additional financial support!!

3 weeks to go & His provision!

It is amazing to see God at work! This week, someone in a class of mine heard the mission our families are preparing for and made a very generous donation from the heart - it overwhelmed me! We also received a generous donation of medical supplies from McKesson (Jim's employer) this week as support for the trip. Today at church, He did it again by providing a very generous donation to both of our families - it continues to overwhelm me how He is providing funds and support! Thank you to our friends and family for your prayers, encouragement and financial support!

We Need Your Support!

As we move along towards the final goal, fundraising is a crucial element in stepping out in faith. Today is the beginning of the partnership effort in an attempt to raise $20,000 by June 15 as means of funding medical supplies, construction materials and offset ministry costs that our families have personally committed to.

Please join us as partners on this journey! We need prayer partners to keep us strong, encouraged and focused and we need financial partners. This is a costly endeavor and we need as much financial help as possible. If you feel a tug on your heart and are willing to step out in faith, we would appreciate your tax deductible donation. It's easy to donate with a secure credit card transaction!

Please go to http://www.servintl.org/donations.php select "Mission Trips - support an individual" in the drop down, enter the amount, write Africa June 2011 in the comments section and submit your credit card authorization by following the secure instructions.

Thank you in advance for your partnership!!!

Kenya June 2011 is a "GO"

We had our team meeting on Saturday, May 7 as the official start of our intense preparation for this journey. As ambassadors of Jesus, 1 Peter 4:9-11 sets the tone for how we desire to represent Him in our task of "Serving God by serving others". This team of 10 is ready to go!